My 2 1/2-year-old son can be very mean to my husband and in-laws. He kicks and yells at them, telling them to go away and not to talk to him and that only Momma can do anything. He acts like this for a little while after I leave, then he gets over it. I’ve been telling him it’s not nice and he’s hurting feelings. If I see it, I put him in time-out as I know he understands what he is doing. My husband and in-laws do the same. The majority of this acting out is not in my presence, so I’m at a loss as to what I can do to help stop these actions. Any tips or tricks to help get him over this phase would be great.

My two year old has become anti-bath. She’s never been keen on bathing, but over the last six months it’s become a real struggle. She starts to cry before I even turn the water on. We have tried baths with lots of toys, no toys, lots of water, little water, showers, bubbles, tub crayons, bathing suits, mommy getting in with her, sponge baths, using the big tub, using the baby tub, using the sink, and just about everything else you can think of.

Because of the struggle I only bathe her 2 to 3 times a week, which is okay since she doesn’t get real messy. (She likes to be neat and clean but hates to take a bath.) When we do put her in the bath we try playing and calming her down but then just end up rushing through it to get her out. It’s very stressful for all and I don’t know what else to try. Please help.

Recently, a viewer wrote me with an excellent question. Her son had picked up the dreaded F-word and, much to Mom’s chagrin, proceeded to share his new, sure-to-shock term with friends. Continue reading

My almost 6-year-old kindergartener daughter complains that I "always want her to be the best in the class." She doesn't like it if I correct any of her homework, which I am required to review and sign. She also doesn't like it if ask her if she understands something she is singing. (I ask her that because she goes to an immersion school and learns in another language.) Is it me? Is it her? What can I do to change myself and/or how I interact with her?

My husband and my 21-month-old son are on opposite schedules. Our son’s day is the typical toddler’s: awake from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a nap from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. With my husband’s second and third shift obligations, there are whole days where they don’t get to see each other.

I have horrible guilt that our son doesn’t get to see his father (I should probably mention that Daddy was in school and home all the time with our son for the first year-plus of his life). What can I do first to get over the sadness that baby usually only gets to see Daddy for 20 minutes a day? And do you have any ideas on how I can find more time for us to spend as a family?

My 7-year-old has trouble making friends. He tries to make friends, but other kids pay him no attention. And in all seriousness he is a nice child. He never argues with other kids, he’s not bossy, etc. I don’t understand, and it crushes me to know he plays alone every day. How can I help him? ~Kari

My 23-month-old daughter is very energetic and creative. Her vocabulary is very clear and I am very grateful to that. Because of her excellent speech comes her constant talking and woo haha I admit it gets overwhelming especially when she repeats mommy a thousand times. I love when she talks because I know she is learning but how do I prevent myself from going over board? Its odd that I enjoy her talking but at the same time her constant talking which does not stop is getting to me. So enough said how do I prevent myself from going crazy?

I have a 17-year-old daughter who is applying to college. She’s a great kid, but I’m really worried that given how competitive it is these days to get into a good school, she isn’t going to be able to get all her strengths across if she writes her essay herself. What’s your advice?

My five-year-old son has just started kindergarten, and his teacher tells us he has trouble completing all of his work. She said that she knows he is very smart and knows how to do the project but it takes him longer than the other kids to finish assignments. We notice this at home also when he is doing homework. He knows the answer but acts like he doesn’t know or just stares at the paper. What can we do to help him besides encouraging him and could this be something wrong with his thought process?

My 8-month-old baby will only fall asleep while nursing, making it almost impossible to get her to sleep in her crib. I am not against co-sleeping but I’m worried that it’s not safe, and I really want her in the crib for naps. Is crying it out my only option? Thanks!